Bands at Youngstown State University

Wind Ensemble

Dr. Stephen L. Gage, Conductor

Comprised of 50-55 undergraduate and graduate music majors who have attained the highest level of proficiency on their instruments, the YSU Wind Ensemble is the premiere ensemble of the Youngstown State University band program. Performing the finest available repertoire, the ensemble's performances include traditional wind band literature, one-per-part chamber works, and premiere performances of new compositions in the wind band genre.  The ensemble has recently produced six produced CD recordings including Urban Requiem (2008) that was released to critical acclaim by the NAXOS Publishers-Wind Band Classics series.  NAXOS is widely considered the largest on-line producer and promoter of classical music.

The YSU Wind Ensemble has earned an international reputation for excellence in woodwind, brass, and percussion performance, it has participated in numerous commission projects, it has been host to a number of distinguished performers and composers, and it has represented YSU University Bands and the Dana School of Music at countless state and national music conventions and recently performed in Carnegie Hall.  Auditions for the Wind Ensemble are held once per semester.   Audition repertoire for all YSU concert bands is posted on the YSU Bands Website—www.ysubands.org.

Concert Band

Dr. Stephen L. Gage, Conductor

Consisting primarily of undergraduate music majors, the YSU Concert Band maintains a full instrumentation for the study and performance of the finest band standards and contemporary literature. The band performs at least two concerts per semester showcasing the high level of musicianship attained by the 50-55 performers comprising this ensemble.  Auditions for the Concert Band are held once per semester.

Symphonic Band

Brian T. hARRIS AND dAVID m. bLON, GRADUATE CONDUCTORS

Meeting during spring semester, the University Symphonic band includes music majors as well as talented musicians from many other academic disciplines. The University Symphonic Band maintains an active performance schedule and plays high quality literature, allowing students to continue and enrich their previous musical experiences at the university level. In addition, this ensemble provides an opportunity for music majors to develop performance skills on secondary instruments, and learn a broad variety of the wind band repertoire.  Music majors are placed in the University Symphonic band by the ensemble audition process. The band is open without audition to non-majors and music majors playing secondary instruments.

YSU Marching Pride

Dr. Brandt Payne, Director

The 150 member Youngstown State University Marching Pride (MP) Band consists of undergraduate and graduate students who represent over 30 academic majors at YSU. The band has performed on broadcasts of ESPN and CBS as it traveled to the NCAA I-AA Football Championships with the 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997 NCAA I-AA National Championship Penguin football teams, and in 1999 when the football Penguins were the NCAA I-AA National Runner-up team. The band has recently performed for the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League, at the Horseshoe on the Ohio State Campus, and at Penn State University.